Aquilini's Complaints To Papers About Coverage Raise Questions

Aquilini Contacts Papers Over Criticism From GM's Dismissal

Vancouver Province Editor-In-Chief Wayne Moriarty said that Canucks Owner Francesco Aquilini "called the newspaper to complain" about columnist Ed Willes' criticism of the team dismissing GM Dave Nonis, raising "questions about the relationship between sports journalists and the people they cover," according to William Houston of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. Willes wrote on April 15, the day Nonis was fired, Aquilini's ownership was a "farce and the firing of Nonis a fiasco." Willes added the Aquilini family was "as qualified to run a hockey team as they are to perform open-heart surgery." Province VP/Promotions & Community Investment Jamie Pitbado said of Aquilini, "He voiced his displeasure. I think he contacted the newsroom as well. There were some parts (in the column) that might have been a little close, a little personal, but Ed has the freedom to write his point of view." Houston reported Province management insisted that Willes, who was "apprised of Aquilini's complaint," was "not pressed to lay off." The Province and Willes both denied that his "two-week vacation was tied to the problem with Aquilini." Aquilini also complained to the Vancouver Sun about a column by Iain MacIntyre also from April 15 that stated Nonis' dismissal "raised 'troubling questions' about Aquilini's style of management -- a style likely to inhibit top candidates from applying" for the job. Meanwhile, the possible role of Province columnist Tony Gallagher in the Canucks' hiring of former agent Mike Gillis as GM has "been the subject of speculation among people in hockey," but Gallagher "denied any involvement" in the decision (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/1).